Office of Sustainability

What we do

The Office of Sustainability (OOS) works with partners around the City to improve quality of life in all Philadelphia neighborhoods, reduce the City’s carbon emissions, and prepare Philadelphia for a hotter, wetter future.

OOS is responsible for implementing Greenworks Philadelphia, the City’s comprehensive sustainability plan, which is made up of eight visions:

Planning Resilient Communities

Join community developers, designers, planners, and government officials as we explore what pathways we can introduce now and into the future to better address increased heating and cooling costs in extreme climate conditions, relief after natural disasters, and the impact of fires/flooding.

Green Building United is is excited to partner with Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations(PACDC) to present this Community Climate Resilience Workshop, aimed at increasing knowledge of resilience from the city scale down to the neighborhood level in Philadelphia. Experts will present information on how climate change is impacting communities, what resiliency means and looks like, and how communities can take action. Projects, policies, tools, and other cities will serve as references.

We invite urban planners, project managers, developers, community groups, and any interested community members to participate. No background knowledge or skillset is required - all are welcome!

Carpenter's Woods Old Growth Forest Network Dedication Ceremony

Carpenter’s Woods section of Wissahickon Park has been chosen as Philadelphia County’s “Dedicated Forest” for the Old-Growth Forest Network. The Dedication ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 5th at 4:00 pm at the Ellet Street trail head located at the intersection of Sherman and West Ellet Streets in Mount Airy. Dr. Joan Maloof, Founder and Director of this national organization, will give a talk and present us, the Friends of Carpenter’s Woods, with a plaque. This will be followed by an interpretive hike, led by Dr. Maloof, Edward Sibley Barnard, an author of Philadelphia Trees, and me. Additional information about the Old-Growth Forest Network may be found on their website http://www.oldgrowthforest.net/.
As Philadelphia’s first bird sanctuary, established as such in 1921, Carpenter’s Woods continues to this day to host impressive and diverse species of both breeding and migratory birds, in large part due to its truly unusual concentration of ancient oaks and other trees. Designation as part of a national network dedicated to the preservation of old-growth forests will be a great honor not only for Carpenter’s Woods, but for our “green city” as a whole. We are truly fortunate to have such a gem of a park in our Mt. Airy community.

It's a Green Thing Sustainability Fair

oin West Laurel Hill and the Lower Merion Conservancy for the 4th annual It’s A Green Thing Sustainability Fair. Bike, walk, or scooter your way over to the Cynwyd Trail to support local sustainable vendors, food trucks, live music and a beer garden by a local brewing company. This sustainability street fair will take place just inside the gates of West Laurel Hill Cemetery, at the Barmouth Station section of the trail and will showcase local artisans and businesses who are committed to making the world a greener place.

Food trucks:

Smokin Tacos

The Spicy Belly

The Tot Cart

The Chilly Banana

Vendors:

Vellum St. Soap Company

This year’s family-friendly street festival will be held next to the Barmouth entrance, right inside the gates from the Cynwyd Heritage Trail.

This event is free and open to the public. Rain date is Sunday, June 24th. Direct any questions to the Lower Merion Conservancy at 610-645-9030 or info@lmconservancy.org.